A pioneering not-for-profit marks a major milestone today as it celebrates a decade of empowering diverse talent in Manchester digital, creative, and tech industries.
Dawid Urbanski (29) embarked on Agent Academy’s Rise programme just two years ago.
Originally from Poland, Dawid moved to the UK when he was just 11 years old. Today, he reflects on his journey from a participant to a thriving project manager at CGI, a global IT and business consultancy firm.
He joined Agent Academy’s Rise, a 12-week initiative where learners work on live real life client challenges, to help them get industry-ready to hit the ground running once they get a job. This hands-on approach allowed him to showcase his potential and led to his current role.
Founded in 2014, Agent Academy was born out of a mission to address the problem of individuals leaving education and being locked out of industry opportunities due to a lack of connections and experience.
Since its inception, it has created a staggering impact of £35 million worth of salaries into the UK workforce, with over 500 North West companies growing as a result of the talent it has developed. The organisation achieved this by creating a practical, industry-designed curriculum with real-life client briefs, which has so far empowered over 5,000 young people, with a staggering 72% coming from underrepresented backgrounds.
Initially working as a warehouse operative while he contemplated his future, Dawid was interested in an IT career but felt locked out of the industry as he lacked the connections and experience. “I was in a position where I just wasn’t feeling fulfilled, but with bills to pay, I needed to work,” he said.
“Discovering Rise was like a breath of fresh air – I immediately applied and was so set on the programme, I told my boss at the warehouse I would quit if they wouldn’t give me two days off per week to do it.
“It was a great environment filled with likeminded people who all wanted to be creative and do the best job.
“The 12 weeks went by incredibly quickly, but it was perfect for getting my foot in the door. I wouldn’t have secured my dream job without Agent Academy, and for that, I am incredibly thankful.”
Open Media, an out-of-home advertising agency, has recruited eight team members from Agent Academy since its inception 10 years ago.
Mike Smith, CEO at Open Media, said: “The talent from Agent Academy is truly exceptional. The candidates we have recruited have shown a high level of creativity, enthusiasm and a real willingness to learn. We’re hugely grateful and look forward to working with them for many more years!”
Paul Corcoran, founder of Agent Academy, said: “Our anniversary is not just a celebration of our past, but also a reaffirmation of our commitment to the future.
“Ten years ago, a vision to create a hub for diverse talent was brought to life, with a view to solving a real industry problem. Over the years, Agent Academy has evolved significantly, forming industry-leading partnerships that have paved the way for young individuals to thrive in their chosen careers.”
As Agent Academy looks to the future, it remains committed to empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to succeed in the ever-evolving digital, creative, and tech sectors in the North West.
